How to Get Recruited for 7-on-7

By Cutters
8 months ago

Since the birth of football in the early 20th century, it has gone through many fluctuations, alterations, and overhauls in order to become the sport we know and love in the present day. Now, football is the most watched sport in the United States, both at the collegiate and professional level. This is thanks in no small part to the many changes the sport has experienced throughout its development, and those tweaks continue to happen today.

In recent years, an offshoot of normal tackle football has arisen in the form of 7-on-7 football. While it does feature many of the same rules as the football you watch on Saturdays and Sundays, there are a few key differences. There are no tackling or running plays allowed. An offense features a quarterback, a center and five skill players who go out for passes. The collection of wide receivers, tight ends and running backs (who function as receivers) are downed by the defense with one-hand contact. The game is completely centered upon one of the most exciting aspects of football–a high-flying offense.

With 7-on-7, the focus is purely on the skill portions of the game. The game is centered on speed, athleticism, accuracy and ball skills, thus eliminating much of the danger that dissuades many young players and their parents from looking into football. For this reason, 7-on-7 football is rapidly gaining popularity across the country. Players are seeking a way to showcase their pure athletic ability, and this modern-day spin on classic football is a perfect way for them to do just that. Interested in seeing how you stack up in a fast-paced game like this? Here are a few ways you can get recruited for a 7-on-7 team.

Speed, Speed, and More Speed

The classic mold of a successful football player is a big, fast, beast of a man who dishes out punishment every chance he gets. While this archetype may work in ordinary tackle football, much of it is not necessarily a must in 7-on-7 football, where the brutality of the gridiron is largely eliminated.

What you do need in 7-on-7 football is speed and quickness, and lots of it. Unlike ordinary football, where there is no “shot clock” for an offensive play, in 7-on-7 the quarterback has only 4 seconds to get rid of the ball. You cannot rush him, so this is meant to prevent him from just standing there waiting for someone to get open. For this reason, it is especially important for skill positions to get separation from their man as soon as possible. They have 4 seconds to complete their route and get open, or else the quarterback will have to throw up an ill-advised pass that could result in an interception.

Speed also comes into play once a catch is made. In classic football, you can rely on your brute strength to muscle your way past a defender. All it takes is one touch in 7-on-7. This is why speed and quickness are invaluable for receivers, tight ends and running backs, for this is all they have at their disposal when they are trying to evade defenders.

Throwing and Catching

Throwing and catching are two absolutely essential skills to have in 7-on-7. It is a simplified game, which makes these abilities all the more important. Though they are also key in normal football, the broken down 7-on-7 version of the sport places a spotlight exclusively on passing and receiving.

Since every play in 7-on-7 football is a pass play, there is never a point in the sport where a pass and an attempted catch are not involved. If you are looking to make it in 7-on-7, be sure to grab yourself a nice pair of custom football gloves and to work on various receiving drills. There are no shoulder pads in this game or threat of taking a bone-crushing hit, so you are completely free to go for as many highlight-reel catches as you can, no matter how difficult the pass might be to haul in. If you are a quarterback, make sure to work on a quick and accurate release, which will help you generate more completions and make it easier to get rid of the ball in under 4 seconds. Put these two skills together and you have the makings of a top-notch 7-on-7 team.

A Growing Game

7-on-7 football does not feature many of the height and weight requirements for success like ordinary football does. You do not have to be gifted with tremendous size and strength in order to make it on this gridiron. It is a much more inclusive game, which is why it is booming in popularity. Work on your skills and maybe you can be the one to take 7-on-7 to the next level!